As expectant mamas, we assume that our babies will make their debuts when they are good and ready. So many women are thrown for a loop when the doctor announces it's time for the wee one to arrive via induction. Whether the procedure is scheduled because the infant is overdue or based on the amniotic fluid levels, there are a few things mothers should know about being induced. Here's what I learned after being induced twice.
When a new bundle of joy makes his or her way into the world and mama and papa's life, it can be overwhelming. While the parents might want to shout the exciting news from the mountain tops, they may be too exhausted. Thanks to modern technology, there are more options than just the old fashioned face-to-face and phone call announcements. Check out this slideshow for all the ways to introduce babe!
This post was submitted by princessya in the Birth Stories group.
I had gone into pre-term contractions at 33 weeks, but was able to stop the progression of the pre-term labor for 6 weeks. Suffering, the mild contractions every couple minutes to half hour, I had a pre-natal checkup on June 9 (week 39) at around 1:30 p.m. and was then scheduled to return two days later for a Non-Stress Test to ensure that the contractions that I had been feeling were not causing my baby any harm. On the same day, I went into active labor @ 5:00 p.m. Was admitted to the Kaiser Redwood City @ 7:00 p.m., and due to insufficient progress, I requested to be sent home to continue laboring, as oppose to choose some sort of medical procedure to induce labor.
I was laboring, but not efficiently up until June 11 @ 2:45 p.m. when I arrived for my follow-up Non-Stress Test. My water then broke on the examination table where they were going to check my water levels. Of course, the doctors wanted to still do the stress test, and so the doctor didn't see me until about 3:45 p.m. after the nurses had completed their exam and tests. The doctor came in and then said, as he was stepping into a puddle of amnio, "I think it's safe to say that your water broke." Of course, he's saying this with my back on the examination table, my legs in the air, and a metal dealie and a light shining into my vagina! I was like, "Uh... I know." They called the ambulance and I was wheeled to Kaiser San Francisco, at which I arrived there at almost 5:00 p.m. and placed into triage. Com'on! I'm OBVIOUSLY laboring here. To see what happened, read more
Generations of my family members have been born in hospitals so when I got pregnant with my first two children, I felt conventional medicine was my only option though I briefly entertained the idea of a water birth with my daughter. But, now with baby number three set to arrive in late September, I want to make my last delivery an experience to remember so I've decided to freebirth my baby at home.
My husband was shocked when I first ran the plan by him as I've long been an advocate of babies making their debut in the close proximity of a NICU — especially after a second scare with my son not breathing when he arrived. I gasped when I initially heard about the controversial concept of freebirthing — which is when mothers choose to have their babies at home, in most cases unassisted by doctors or doulas and sometimes even spouses or family members, but had a change of heart after watching an incredibly moving documentary about the process. To see what influenced my decision, read more
Charlie Sheen became a father of five on Saturday when his wife, Brooke Mueller Sheen, gave birth to their twin sons, Max and Bob. Charlie has three daughters — Cassandra, 24, Sam, 5, and Lola, 3 — from previous relationships. Congratulations to the growing family!
One Michigan daddy has to pony up the cost of his daughter's medical expenses for her birth ($3,800) or marry her mama. Gary Johnson plans to wed JaeLyn's mother, Rebecca Witt, but the couple wants to do it on their own accord and are struggling financially. One report said:
The Michigan Legislature amended the state's paternity act five years ago to waive birthing costs for a father, if he married the child's mother. A year later, Witt gave birth to JaeLyn. The state paid for the hospital costs because Witt was on Medicaid at the time and is now trying to recover the money."
Unless the father presents a marriage certificate he has to pay. What is your opinion of the paternity act that is seen as a marriage incentive for moms and dads?
Baby Aya's (meaning miracle) birth is nothing short of one. The two-pound infant was born at 25 weeks, just two days after her mother, a former British figure skater, was declared brain dead as a result of a brain hemorrhage. Though she had appeared to be in perfect health, the mom-to-be, Jayne Soliman, suffered the massive attack as a result of an undetected brain tumor. The baby was born via c-section. Jayne's husband, Mahmoud Soliman, was forced to deal with the tragic and bittersweet turn of events. He said:
“It was Jayne's one true wish to be a mum. She would have been a great mum,” Mahmoud Soliman said in a statement to the media. “In the space of 48 hours I have experienced joy at the birth of my child and endured torment over losing my wonderful wife.”
Mamas-to-be who plan on scheduling their babe's birth to coincide with a special day or one that is convenient need to think again. A new study of American births shows that babies do best when they debut no earlier than seven days before their due date. Even a few days can make a difference in the child's lung development. One report said:
The rate of Caesarean sections in the United States is at an all-time high, accounting for about 31 percent of births. There are lots of reasons: older moms, multiple births, the threat of malpractice lawsuits, the preference of mothers and doctors and the risks of having a vaginal birth after a previous Caesarean.
Other complications of infants born at 37 weeks included infections and low blood sugar.
Expectant women all seem to have a plan. The due date is circled on the calendar. The hospital bag is packed and waiting by the door. The phone tree of friends and family member's numbers has been circulated, but with birth comes the unexpected. Many couples find themselves driving toward the delivery room weeks ahead of schedule or with another child in tow. There's no time to drop junior at Grandma's when mommy's water breaks and contractions keep coming. So some tots watch their siblings make their way into the world or daddy makes a mad dash from a business meeting to get there in time for baby's entrance. What is or was your plan and did it work out?
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Someone once told me one is none, two is 20, and three is insanity when it comes to kids. I'm not sure I believe the saying because things ran much more smoothly when we brought my son home from the hospital.
My husband and I were no longer first-time parents — we knew which brands of diapers, burpers, and bottles to buy, and our daughter was eager to lend her lil helping hands. Our family of four was out shopping and to dinner two days later. The hectic part came only once my son was almost a year and off running. I've been on my toes ever since. As babysugar approaches her due date, are there any lilsugar readers that want to share their second child experience?
Photo © Laurie O’Brien 2008
